The Snuneymuxw First Nation was honoured to be a part of hosting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould and Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan today in Snuneymuxw territory. Snuneymuxw was encouraged by a private meeting with Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould where we discussed opportunities for working together and recognition and reconciliation between Snuneymuxw and Canada.
Snuneymuxw also had a private meeting with the Prime Minister where the necessity for transformative change based on the recognition and implementation of rights was discussed. The implementation of the Treaty of 1854 is the foundation of relations between Snuneymuxw and Canada. We shared this with the Prime Minister. We are happy that Canada acknowledged the Treaty during the Town Hall.

We also shared concerns about local matters, such as the need to find a new approach to harbour governance and we shared our belief in the need to stand together to address important opportunities in the region, such as at Newcastle Island and the former Camp Nanaimo lands adjacent to Vancouver Island University. While Snuneymuxw has concerns about the protection of the environment and the Salish Sea, we were encouraged by the openness of Prime Minister Trudeau to engage in the critical issues between us.

The Prime Minister shook my hand and confirmed that Canada will engage with Snuneymuxw to seek to resolve issues and to build a new future together,” said Chief Michael Wyse.

Chief Wyse, on his first day in office as Chief of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, was honoured to provide a welcome and opening remarks to the Prime Minister’s Town Hall session that followed. Snuneymuxw Elder Lolly Good provided a prayer and welcome song.